No Nintendo E3 press conference is a good idea

From the article, "Yesterday, Nintendo caused ripples in the gaming world by announcing it would be dispensing with the annual Nintendo E3 press conference this year. Hearts broke. I admit that I was a bit sad when I heard the news, since every Nintendo E3 press conference I’ve been to has been filled with spectacular announcements of games I will most definitely love. Now, however, after the initial smoke has cleared, I believe this is the smartest decision Nintendo could have made."

[StrongMan]

Oh well. More time for Sony!

[lilbroRx]

Positive Nintendo news, Sony bolstering comment at the top. Such originality!

Nintendo not being at e3 means that they no longer need it. The Nintendo direct's have become so popular that e3 is just a waste of time and money for them. Why go to a gamer bulge showing contest when you have better avenue's?

Even at last years e3, the Nintendo directs before and after were more popular than the actual e3 presentation. On top of that, they have no time constraints or technical difficulties to worry about like they had at the end of last years e3 2012.

[Highlife]

well at least we won't get anymore of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[guitarded77]

@ lilbro

This isn't "Positive Nintendo news"... this is fanboy SPIN at its finest.

Nintendo not holding a major press event at E3 is a negative for gamers and the press. The only one it's positive for is Nintendo themselves, because they can have more control over what is shown, and how the public sees it. Limiting ANY damage control.

And before the Nintendo fan boys lynch me, it should be noted that I like Nintendo, I want Nintendo to succeed, I own every Nintendo console from their respected time periods. I bought the Wii U day 1... But I will not pretend to think Nintendo not having an E3 press conference is a good thing.

[LOL_WUT]

They no longer need it? Wow! Just because the Wii U is not performing well and the PS4 and the 720 would most likely overshadow the console doesn't mean they can cowardly hide behind the curtains. ;)

Also if the rumors are true Sony is going to show off what the PS4 looks like before E3 and most likely the same thing will happen with the 720. So what is Nintendo so afraid of? E3 would most likely be to show off the games from both Sony and Microsoft.

[nirwanda]

Thats like saying our films don't need the cinema because more people watch our films at home, without realizing that its the cinema and the trailers that create the hype for the film in the first place.

[camel_toad]

I have to disagree. They DO need a strong presence at e3. The only people that pay any attention to Nintendo Direct are the ones that already have a ds/wii/wii u. They need to draw in more people that don't already have a Nintendo system.

I really think their minimal appearance at E3 is because they know it will spotlight the weaknesses of the wii u compared to the ps4/720.

[rezzah]

This is an optimistic view on a rather negative situation.

[Trunkz Jr]

This has nothing to do with the Wii U, they just don't have much to show compared to the showing of a PS4 AND a 720. I'm not undermining games, but it's smarter for them to get release dates and etc online and before E3, then setup demos of many of the games for ppl to try out.

[guitarded77]

@ rezzah

Is that a nice way of saying "delusional"?

[rezzah]

@guitarded77

The word didn't come to mind, but I'm unsure if it fits.

Saying he or she is delusional is saying with absolution, that he or she is wrong in being positive.

[HammadTheBeast]

Opinion piece.

[guitarded77]

@ rezzah

It was a joke :/

[Mounce]

"Nintendo not being at e3 means that they no longer need it"

Well, goes to show if Nintendo's arrogant, then their fans are arrogant under similar concepts of bolstered confidence which is groundless.

E3 is about business and expanding, to show what you have and what people can expect. NO ONE is 'Too good' for being a flashy business person and going to public conventions to reveal things and entice fucking consumers. CONSUMERS of which Nintendo isn't having very much of lately.

[MariaHelFutura]

Not attending E3 due to the circumstances, is a bad idea. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just trying to make themselves feel better about it. The mind is a tricky place, don't let it get the best of you.

[StraightPath]

From what I read on N4G comments people actually think nintendo will not appear or hold a conferance at while iwata says they will be a conferance but a smaller scale one? So they are still there as normal do N4G people even read past titles?

[Aaroncls7]

Here it comes,Nintendo fans and hopefuls trying to interpret a catastrophe into a good thing.

To each their own; but I think that being a in denial will only cause further disappointment. I love a great number of N's games; but as a company the just suck. It's been a series of bad and poor decisions one after the other; including a disturbing lack of technical improvement and an apparent fear of taking risks.

The took a very opportunistic shot with the Wii U, it didn't pay off and now they are facing some serious consequences.

Embarrassingly shying away from the most important video game conference of the year shows they don't have anything to shift interest back on their side.

[avengers1978]

Simple... This will save Nintendo money, but will it help the wii u move off store shelves... And you can pretty much take this as a sign there will be no different model announced or no price cut coming anytime soon. Showing your games off to retailers and gaming media should come second to showing what you got to gamers... You know the people that might buy your system. And trust me part of wiis success came from the fact that you couldn't find one... They were constantly sold out, witch the media jumped all over... And I don't mean gaming media either... They showed the wii on CNN and talk about how fun it was and how impossible they were to find... So when people saw them in stores they were quick to pick one up. None of the hype the wii had has followed the wii u

[Evil_Ryu]

Mark as trolling

[Neonridr]

I agree with this article. While it's always cool to have some dramatic presentation to reveal big name games or previously unknown gems, 9 times out of 10 the conferences are incredibly boring. E3 2012's press conference was a snoozer. If they plan on just doing smaller events that focus on the games, then I feel that they can still get their message out.

I guess time will tell to see if this is a failed experiment or not. Worst case scenario, they were wrong about it and then have a press conference at E3 2014.

[NYC_Gamer]

I believe its a bad move because E3 is real mainstream/streamed on many web sites and even shown on tv

[Root]

Yeah....I mean do they really believe smaller events at E3 will be better then a mainstream, traditional, press conference.

Honestly...Bayonetta 2, Mario Kart U and Super Smash Bros U deserve a huge show presentation.

[pompombrum]

This, by not having a conference it could easily be perceived as them almost throwing in the towel.

[Ilovetheps4]

I would disagree. They are having a conference for just games. They are skipping all the sales that (most) gamers don't care about. They are going to just do that in a seperate meeting, but they are going to instead have a meeting for just games but not on a grand stage. I have no problem with that because honestly, as a gamer, that's all I care about. Never count Nintendo out.

[Testfire]

@ Ilovetheps4,
Those small events are for retailers, media and investors only, they won't be broadcast. They do nothing to promote hype among gamers and especially for the potential Wiiu buyers waiting for good information to make buying decisions. Nintendo Directs are fine and all, but casuals and potential future Wiiu owners don't search them out. EVERYONE watches E3, it's the biggest stage in North America for gaming.

[StraightedgeSES]

I have to disagree with you NYC_Gamer. Look at the event for the PS4 that got a lot of media coverage and that wasn't at a E3 event .

[Root]

because it was also a mainstream event and they hyped it up for over a month.

Nintendo directs are mostly watched by die hard Nintendo fans who already have Nintendo products. Whats the point doing smaller direct like shows when they should be showing off stuff to everyone with an E3 conference

[StraightedgeSES]

Even if they are doing a Nintedo Direct the news will still be reported by N4G IGN, Neo Gaf, and all the other gaming websites. I still don't see this as a bad thing. Nintendo is just presenting the News in a more organized way.

[Ck1x]

E3 is not as mainstream as you would like to believe...
If that were the case it would get air time on Fox, NBC, ABC or CBS and that's just not the case. E3 is a big show put on for the journalist to convey to the fans, that's all! In the end most of us watch the press conferences by internet probably anyways. I don't care how they get the info out I just want to hear about new games that's all. Now if E3 was open to the public, then this news would be absolutely chaotic on Nintendo's part, but the mainstream press don't really care for Nintendo anyways, so of course they are going to be pissy about this.

[_QQ_]

save your fingers,logic doesn't fly well on this site.

[yeahokchief]

nah.

the wii u is not a gaming device. it is a family entertainment center. look at how it is marketed.

it's for family activities and young children. gamers play on sony, microsoft or pc.

[majiebeast]

You cant get the magic of an audience on a Nintendo direct.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...
http://www.youtube.com/watc...
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

You wont get Konami E3 2010 in a direct video format.

Best E3 press conference ever! http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[LOGICWINS]

????

I don't get your point. What difference does it make if Nintendo(or any company for that matter) has an audience at their presentation?

I think what your saying is that a screaming audience excites viewers watching at home, hence making them more excited for a game. Not necessarily the case. I will never care for Zelda or SSBB no matter how loud/excited an audience is because these games don't appeal to me. The same can be said for Halo, Gears, The Last Guardian, LBP etc.

[lilbroRx]

Saying they haven't is one thing, but saying they "can't" is another.

The beauty of Nintendo directs is that Nintendo has freedom to do whatever it wants, so it can.

You can't get the atomic megaton that was Bayonetta 2 being announced exclusive to the Nintendo Wii U at e3.

[jcnba28]

Every 3DS-related Nintendo Direct has been better than any E3 presentation in the past 8 years, so this really isn't a huge loss.

Just keep the Nintendo Directs coming throughout the year with tons of awesome 3DS/Wii U games.

The PC "AAA Blockbuster" movie/FPS consoles can keep E3.

[Canary]

E3 is a trade-show. It's not really about showing off cool stuff for the gamers... so I don't really see this as a bad thing. I can't think of a single E3 that was really exciting.

Besides, Nintendo is using Nintendo Direct to show off and announce their cool stuff, so there's no point for Nintendo gamers to fixate on E3.

For Microsoft and Sony, it's different, as they -only- seem to announce their big titles at E3/TGS trade shows.

[MariaHelFutura]

E3 is an Electronics show. Hence E3 2013.

[Canary]

Yes... it's the Electronic Entertainment Expo.

But it's audience is NOT gamers. It's primarily an event for shareholders and media.

[MariaHelFutura]

Games and Systems fall under Electronics. As do PCs, Tvs, Phones, Stereos etc. Gaming is one of the biggest parts of E3.

So you think IGN, GT and every other website that provides around the clock coverage for E3 is for shareholders and publishers? E3 is easily one of gamings biggest events for gamers, shareholders and publishers.

[majiebeast]

Lastofus was announced at VGA's so was Uncharted 2 and Killzone 3 was announced a week before E3. So thats false

[pecorre]

Why can't you do both like Sony did last two years. They held pre-e3 show to present a few things and a big conference during e3.

Smaller events will never have the same impact. I mean, every years I watch all the biggest conferences but I overlook a lot of other stuff.

[Skynetone]

they just released a new console and there's no big e3 event

that's not good news for Nintendo fans

[_LarZen_]

"No Nintendo E3 press conference is a good idea"

You have to be hit hard with the "fanboy hammer" to actually think that.

[LOL_WUT]

Agreed some of those people need to lay off the Kool-Aid. ;)

[Jek_Porkins]

Nintendo will still be at E3, just no huge conference. I can see them doing okay with this move if it means more advertising and Nintendo Directs, but they need to tease those more and promote the Directs a bit more.

Hopefully this isn't a trend though, I really thought Nintendo needed a big software showing, so they can keep momentum with the 3DS and get it back with the Wii U.

[--Onilink--]

Once again, just because most people here cant seem to be able to read past a title (especially when its Nintendo related "bad" news)

They will be at E3, they will even have a conference the day they usually do (actually 2 conferences) they are simply dividing the conference, one for business partners (retailers, publishers, etc) with the info that they care about. And one for gaming media focused purely on games and give them the chance to play them without massive lines, and they also confirmed they will do several Nintendo Directs in the days before that.

They are not going anywhere, they are not "hiding", they are simply presenting the same information in a different format, but THEY WILL HAVE A CONFERENCE, simply a smaller one

You can even check out my following comment for the update Nintendo provided

[--Onilink--]

Update: Nintendo of America's senior director of corporate communications, Charlie Scibetta, has clarified to IGN that two events will be held on Tuesday morning at E3 (the day when Nintendo's press conference traditionally takes place) in addition to multiple Nintendo Direct presentations leading up to the show.

Scibetta's full statement is as follows:

"As you've already seen, a lot of news about Nintendo games and services that traditionally would be held until E3 is being delivered this year through Nintendo Directs, and various press events. This approach will continue between now and E3. No matter where you are in the world, you'll be fully informed. We look forward to continuing to provide you with Nintendo news and content in ways you haven't before experienced. Beyond the news that will be communicated through Nintendo Direct videos in the run up to E3, at the show itself we're hosting two smaller events on Tuesday morning before the LACC opens instead of just our traditional one event. A media event and a partner presentation will both occur that morning. While the audiences will be different between the two events, both will occur on the Tuesday morning of E3 (June 11) which is the date and time period the public has come to expect for Nintendo to deliver E3 news.

At the Nokia theater we'll meet with business partners (retailers, publishers, analysts, etc.) from the NOA territory and discuss our plans for driving the business and providing tailored information that this group finds useful to their operations. Nintendo has done these same type of business meetings at past E3 shows, but has not in the past few years. This year we are returning to that business partner meeting format. New this year at our booth in the LACC, prior to the show opening, we'll invite a small group of media to play our games. We will have a strong line-up of beloved franchise experiences available for immediate hands-on play. We are continuing to consider exciting new ways to bring the news of our games and information directly to the players at home during the E3 timeframe, and will have more to say about that at a later date."

[OmniSlashPT]

Brace yourselves, damage control is coming lol

[kingmushroom]

Yeah it's a good idea unless they want to just show games, last years E3 was all about nintendo and on the nintendo booths it was all about nintendo land and the wii u tablet.

this year its all about MS and Sonys next gen consoles going head to head.

[lilbroRx]

Its funny how the people who generally bash Nintendo and dislike them the most are the ones advocating and raging about them needing to be at e3, yet people who don't hate Nintendo have no problem with them not being there.

That should say a lot.

It likes how people suddenly clamor to support and defend EA when they announce a game not coming to the Wii U.

Bascially, they want what is the worst for Nintendo, so being at e3 this year is clearly not the best choice Nintendo could make.

The only reason they want Nintendo at e3 is hopes that they will get overshadowed by the other two consoles that are being announced. They want the Wii U to be the whipping boy. If Nintendo isn't there then there will be nothing for them to bash and promote their console over being it that the Durango will offer the same range of specs as the PS4, and the games won't demonstrate any major contrast. I will laugh if the Durango shows more technically advanced games than the PS4 though.

So, here's looking forward to Microsoft and Sony's e3 presentations. Let the battle begin!

[kagamer79]

I dont think it really matters at this point if they hold the big E3 conference or not and heres why...........
1. Sony and Microsoft will steal the show at E3 this year ninty conference or not.
2. The wii u is already in homes and on store shelves for purchase there no mystery left about the console its self.
3. Most game annoucements made will be release dates of games you already knew were coming and maybe 2 or 3 you didn't.
4. If you were at E3 would you be more curious to what nintendo had to say or what microsofts kept so tightly under wraps.
5. Besides nintendo fans most ppl don't care what nintendos doing at E3 because their looking to sony and microsoft for a true next gen experience because most feel the wii u is current gen thats too little too late.
So why bother with E3 if after 6 months your momentum has come to a halt and the other big names are still at full steam? I like nintendo and always have but they are only a shell of the giants they were when i was growing up. I'll be the first to admit as a nintendo fan that they have no sense of direction anymore and they've somehow lost touch with what made them so great to begin with. So heres to hoping they find the magic and connection they had with the gaming community, because if they don't nintendo will never be the same and neither will the gaming industry they helped create.

[abzdine]

i dont understand this decision not to hold a conference at the biggest gaming event of the year! they could have saved all those Nintendo Direct reveals to E3 instead..

But tbh no matter what they show nothing will win over the Sony presentation and the Microsoft reveal of the next xbox games

[MilkMan]

Its a good idea. No hoopla because the hardware is already available. The only news that matters is what new games are coming and WHEN.
Don't need a bandstand and dancing naked girls to tell you that.

[Tiqila]

oh my...

[kirbyu]

But will the company's games still be playable at E3?

[InTheLab]

E3 2010 was a great year for Nintendo. E3 2013 will be a massive failure in my book. No conference for Nintendo is like them throwing in the towel.

[Stroke666]

Ummmmm, they are going to be at E3, they are just not having a largescale press conference. They will show off their upcoming titles and have hands on. so how did all this 'nintendo doesn't need e3' 'nintendos throwing in the towel' bs start. this place is funny, fanboys jumping at an op to say something negative, and opposing fanboys making a defense when its not even necessary.

[1upgamer99]

Nintendo, confirmed in an E-Mail to me this....

"Greetings,

Thank you for contacting us regarding your concern. Nintendo will be doing things a bit different at E3 this year. Instead of holding one large event, we'll be holding two smaller events for two different audiences.

While the audiences will be different between the two events, both will occur on the Tuesday morning of E3 (June 11) which is the date and time period the public has come to expect for Nintendo to deliver E3 news.

At the Nokia theater we'll meet with business partners (retailers, publishers, analysts, etc.) from the NOA territory and discuss our plans for driving the business and providing tailored information that this group finds useful to their operations. Nintendo has done these same type of business meetings at past E3 shows, but has not in the past few years. This year we are returning to that business partner meeting format.

Prior to the show opening, we'll invite a small group of media to play our games. We will have a strong line-up of beloved franchise experiences available for immediate hands-on play.

We will also continue to provide information in the form of Nintendo Direct leading up to E3 as well. While I can certainly understand your concerns over this, as it may be different then what you are used to, this is a similar format we have used in the past.

Sincerely,

Dale Thompson
Nintendo of America Inc."

That is a direct response from Nintendo to me from an E-Mail I sent to them yesterday.

[o-Sunny-o]

If they waited till July this year to release. I would have a few games and not as a bad jump between game releases.